March Headpin News

Headpin News Let's Go Bowling!

March, 2022

GREETINGS FROM BCAW

by Erik Gialdella, BCAW President

We’re just a few days away from spring! I don’t know about you, but I have already had a case of spring fever. I look forward to feeling the warmth of spring after what has seemed like a very cold winter. However, that also means a switch in revenue flow for most of our members. People look to get outside more and enjoy the weather. As I look back at the past few months, I have caught myself saying over and over again to my staff “normally, this is how it goes” and more and more lately the norm has been wrong. I hope that will be the case when spring hits this year.

Many members have been reporting strong revenue streams and packed bowling lanes. It would be great to see that trend continue well into the spring and summer months. It’s definitely that time of year to be promoting any spring/summer bowling, outdoor sports, or other center happenings to our visitors while we’re still busy. Take advantage of the business to get the word out of what will be happening in the future at your center. If you need ideas or some templates of marketing materials, log into your BPAA.com account and click on the “Proprietor Resource Center” tab for a selection of materials to help you out.

March through May are now the months that BCAW seeks out our next Award of Excellence nominee’s. Nominations for the 2022 BCAW Award of Excellence will be accepted March 1st – May 31st and may be submitted by anyone involved in bowling here in Wisconsin. Nominate someone you feel has contributed to bowling in Wisconsin in a lasting and significant way.

The criteria for selection are:

Membership/involvement with BCAW for at least five years
Has made significant contributions to bowling in Wisconsin over time
Has promoted and supported league & tournament bowling, actively created youth, men’s and women’s teams and advanced them to local and state tournaments
Has had a hand in retaining youth, men’s and women’s teams
Is active and participates in BCAW events; attends BCAW meetings
Contributes to the positive public image of bowling; builds awareness for the sport of bowling
Has demonstrated success as a leader, administrator, coach and/or volunteer to benefit bowling
Is viewed as a mentor to others in the bowling world.

More information and the full list of past recipients may be found on our website: https://www.bowlwi.com/about/ (near the bottom of this page).

Nominations Sought

2022 BCAW Award of Excellence

The BCAW Award of Excellence honors bowling center owners, proprietors, managers and others who have contributed to bowling in Wisconsin in a significant way over time.

Nominations are invited from the bowling community March 1 - May 31 for the 2022 awards. Winners are selected by a committee, and will be recognized at the BCAW Celebration of Excellence Luncheon held at our BCAW Annual Meeting, Conference & Trade Show on Monday, October 3, 2022 in Wisconsin Dells.

For more information, including past recipients, check out our website.

HS State Results

by Neil Stremmel, BCAW Executive Director

This was my first Wisconsin State High School Championships and it didn't disappoint! I've heard of this event for years. I've seen pictures. But from March 4th to 6th, I saw my first HS state championship with my own eyes. I have been to Collegiate events, even Intercollegiate Team Championships (ITCs). I have been to World Youth Championships. And even World Men's and Women's Championships. You get the picture, but my point is that my ability to be impressed by a bowling tournament is not something that can be done easily. But that is exactly what happened. The crowds, the cheering, the quality of the athletes and the team comradery were all what I have seen and experienced at elite levels around the world. This is one event that has it all. I am very proud to be the new steward of this event and I will ensure we maintain the integrity of the event into the future so all bowling programs can enjoy this great event for years to come!

This event would not survive if it wasn't for the local proprietors that host all of the local HS practices and matches! I know this can be a burden - unique/strange and inconsistent times on various days of the week. But I love the fact that you see the future of it. Some of these bowlers may bowl in college - even less will make the pros, so mostly these bowlers are becoming life-long bowlers that will enjoy the game and return for many years to come.

With that said, we had some great performances this year at the state championships. Starting with the first round of girls’ singles at Super Bowl in Appleton. Zoey Darwin of Monona Grove fired a 300 in the opening game! Then a Baker 300 game by the Sheboygan Area Coop (Sheboygan North, Sheboygan Lutheran, Oostburg and Random Lake). In the end, Brianna Thompson of Campbellsport finished 1^st for the Girls’ and Xavier Gauthier of Oshkosh West was the boys’ singles champion. For the teams, the Girls’ Division 1 State Champion was Greenfield and for Division 2 the winner was Antigo. For the Boys’, winning Division 1 was the Sheboygan Coop, while the winner in Division 2 was Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah. Big congratulations to all athletes, their coaches and of course their parents!

Please check out the results and photos posted on the WI HSBC webpage.

HSBC All Star Team Challenge Results

Each year the BCAW Wisconsin High School Bowling Club concludes the high school bowling season with the All Star Team Challenge. All 14 of our high school districts are invited to send their top five individuals based on their year-end fill percentage in order to send a boys and girls all star team. All of the boys’ teams and girls’ teams compete in separate divisions.

The tournament format combines a singles competition and a team competition with total pins from both events added together to determine the top three teams in each division. All five bowlers roll three games of singles competition and awards and scholarships are presented to the top boys and girls prior to the team competition. The team competition is ten games of baker games. BCAW provides $1,700 in scholarships to our top performers in both the singles and team portion of this event!

District 9 swept the Boys and Girls division this year - next year they will try to repeat! Full results have been posted on our website.

THANK YOU to Ledgeview Lanes in Fond Du Lac for hosting the 2022 WI HSBC All Star Team Challenge!

Update on MSBC

The MSBC Middle School program is off to a fast start. Most districts are reporting an increase both in teams and bowlers. The minimum number of six matches has been reinstituted after last year’s reduction due to Covid restrictions from the state and local municipalities.

Competition this year will be culminating in the Wisconsin Middle School State Championships at Super Bowl in Appleton, Wisconsin on May 7^th. A new addition to the event is the awarding of scholarships in both the team and singles events. Refer to the BCAW website under news for more details. Best of luck to all of this years' competitors!

2022 BVL Fundraiser Jersey Now Available

BCAW is proud to continue our support of the Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL) with our popular BVL Jersey program. In collaboration with BCAW supplier member Flashpoint Designs, we introduce this year's colorful and patriotic design.

These fully customizable jerseys sell for $49.99 each, with Flashpoint Designs donating $10 for every shirt purchased, directly to BVL. Sales of their 2021 design resulted in a $1500 donation!

Click here to order.

The WI Vintage Alleys Tour is BACK!

Registration is NOW OPEN for our upcoming tour, scheduled for Saturday, April 9, 2022. We will be featuring three fabulous Milwaukee vintage era “bowling alleys” including the world famous Holler House. We’re equally excited to have Falcon Bowl and the Milwaukee Elks Lodge on this tour.

You do not want to miss out on this, as space is limited to just 26 guests! The cost is $99 which includes transportation aboard our private motor coach, bowling in all three locations, plus brunch, snacks, soft drinks, prizes and tons of fun!

BCAW thanks MolsonCoors for their continued support and sponsorship of this event!